Chase Dowling Returning to Weekly Competition in Stafford’s SK Modified® Division for 2017 Season

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

NASCAR GETTY IMAGE

(Stafford Springs, CT)---After two years away from weekly competition, 2014 SK Modified® Rookie of the Year Chase Dowling will return to Stafford’s premier division in 2017 behind the wheel of the #50 Les & Tina Skowyra owned modified.  Dowling has spent the last two years running on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour after an impressive 2014 season in the SK Modified® division which etched his name in the record books as the youngest SK Modified® winner in track history.

            “Adam Skowyra and I have talked over the past couple of years and it was just trying to find a sponsor,” explained Dowling.  “As everyone knows S+S Asphalt Paving has been a huge part of my racing, they’ve been my backbone and I definitely wouldn’t be racing today if it weren’t for them.  Adam and I talked and I took care of everything on my end and I’m really excited about coming back to my home track and to be racing weekly on Friday nights.  Adam is working on building a new Troyer car and it’s going to be a blast again to be racing against guys like Ted Christopher, Keith Rocco, and Rowan Pennink.”

            Dowling will have some big to shoes as he fills the #50 seat that has been driven by one of the best Stafford drivers of all-time, Woody Pitkat.  The #50 team scored two wins and was a contender each week throughout the 2016 season with Pitkat behind the wheel.

“I have some pretty big shoes to fill with Woody being in that car the last couple years,” continued Dowling. “I think we can be there at the end of the season for the championship, we have everything we need with the car and the motor and we have all the pieces of the puzzle, we just have to show up every week and give our best effort.”

            Dowling will have to have his A-game when he makes his SK Modified® return at the NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler as the SK Modified® field is arguably the toughest weekly racing division in the country.

            “Everyone knows SK Modified® racing at Stafford is some of the hardest competition around,” explained Dowling. “The only word I can use to describe the racing is competitive and you’re not going to be the best unless you beat the best and you’re racing against the best every Friday night at Stafford.”
            Dowling is also excited to have another shot in the biggest SK Modified® race in the country the NAPA Auto Parts SK 5k.  Chase finished 8th in the inaugural SK 5K in 2014 and turned in a strong run in the 2015 edition before being taken out in a late race incident.

            “I have to thank Mark Arute and the whole Stafford team as well as NAPA Auto Parts and Doug Dunleavy for putting the money up for this race,” said Dowling.  “Every racer, we’re not making money doing this and when there’s big purses on the table, everyone wants to race in that race and win.  The car counts have been really good the last couple years and it’s only going to grow.  It’s awesome that Doug, Mark, and everyone at Stafford puts in the effort that they do to make big races happen for us racers.”

            “I also have to thank Adam for giving me the opportunity to drive the #50 car and I hope I can bring the best for him and his crew,” continued Dowling.  “I get along with all of his guys and I’m looking forward to getting started.  I think everything will come back to me pretty quick and we can be a top running car.  We’re going to try our best to win races and the championship and I think we can come close to achieving those goals

Preece to return to XFINITY Series in 2017

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Preece to return to JD Motorsports

JD Motorsports will have some familiar faces in its camp next year. Lead driver Ross Chastain is returning to the #4 car, with 2013 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Ryan Preece back in the #01 car as well. "We're trying hard and we have a lot of great people behind us," Preece said. "We're hoping that next year, we can keep on digging. We want more sponsorship and make a lot more great things happen." Chastain's return to the team comes as he caps off his second full-time season with JD Motorsports. However, he failed to finish in the top 10 this year. "Before, the [No.] 01 car was leaps and bounds over the [No.] 4 car on the racetrack and business-wise," Chastain said. "To have equal racecars is a big deal. I'll be back in the #4 car next year. Me and Johnny shake hands and we're racecars who want to go racing. We want to do it at the highest level possible, and we're trying to get this car up the leaderboard." While the two drivers are confirmed to be returning, Garrett Smithley is unclear of whether or not he will return to pilot the team's #0 car in 2017. "Nothing is solid yet," Smithley said. "We're still working on sponsors and everything. I think we will be."Source: (Frontstretch)

(11-28-2016)

Toyota Wins All Three Manufacturer's Championship Titles in 2016

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Toyota wins first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Manufacturer's Title: Toyota secured its first-ever NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) manufacturer's championship with a sixth-place finish by Kyle Busch at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday to capture the title in Toyota's 10th year of Cup competition. Camry drivers won 16-of-36 races to take the NSCS manufacturer's championship in the season finale. The championship is the first manufacturer's title for Toyota in the Cup Series, and Toyota has now secured the manufacturer's title in all three NASCAR national touring series.
"Capturing our first Cup Series manufacturer's title is a tremendous accomplishment, and one that has been a goal for Toyota since entering the series 10 years ago as underdogs in this ultra-competitive series," said Ed Laukes, Vice President of Integrated Marketing Operations for Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A. "With the partnership of great teams like Joe Gibbs Racing and Furniture Row Racing, Toyota has been able to breakthrough and become the first different manufacturer to earn this championship in 13 seasons.
   Toyota has now won manufacturer's championships in all three NASCAR national touring series, and to have reached this amazing milestone really speaks to Toyota's commitment to not only NASCAR, but also to motorsports endeavors around the globe. We're proud of the effort put forth by each of our Toyota teams, and all of the Toyota team members that have allowed us to reach this goal."
Five Camry drivers collected 16 wins over 36 races during the 2016 season, including 12 wins by Joe Gibbs Racing and four by Furniture Row Racing. Busch and Martin Truex Jr. led the group with four wins a piece, while Carl Edwards (three victories), Denny Hamlin (two), and Matt Kenseth (two) also recorded triumphs in 2016.

In addition to securing the 2016 NSCS manufacturer's championship, Toyota claimed the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) manufacturer's title at Phoenix International Raceway and the NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) manufacturer's championship at Homestead. Toyota drivers also won multiple championships across the NASCAR national touring series, with Daniel Suarez winning the driver's championship in the NXS and Kyle Busch Motorsports taking the owner's title in the NCWTS.
Toyota first entered NSCS competition in 2007 and the 2016 season marks the Camry's 10th year competing at NASCAR's highest level. Since joining NSCS competition, Toyota has won 95 races and captured 90 poles in 360 races.(Toyota Racing)(11-21-2016)

NASCAR Top 6 Paid Drivers in 2016

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

1    Dale (Junebug) Earnhardt Jr.     23.5 Million

2    Jimie  Johnson                              22 Million

3  Jeff ( Golden Boy) Gordon            21.6 Million

4  Danika Patrick                               18 Million

5 Kevin ( Happy) Harvick                 15.5 Million

6  Denny ( Where's my Package) Hamlin 15.1 Million

Six Drivers Earn Most Popular Driver Awards Nearly 47,000 Votes Cast World-Wide For Fan Favorites

Posted by Wayne G. Barber & Photo by Wayne G. Barber

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The fans have spoken.
More than 47,000 votes were cast world-wide for the 2016 NASCAR touring series’ Most Popular Driver Awards and six drivers have earned the honor of fan favorite.
The 2016 Most Popular Driver Award winners are:
• Austin Theriault (Fort Kent, Maine), NASCAR K&N Pro Series East
• Salvatore Iovino (Los Angeles), NASCAR K&N Pro Series West

• Melissa Fifield (Wakefield, N.H.), NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour ( Three Consecutive)

Congratulations from the entire Race Chatter Nation and our "Woman in Racing "weekly segment from April thru November. Have a blessed Happy Thanksgiving to the entire Fifield Racing Family.

• Trey Hutchens (Lexington, N.C.), NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour
• Jason Hathaway (St. Thomas, Ont.), NASCAR Pinty’s Series
• Alon Day (Ashdod, Israel), NASCAR Whelen Euro Series
The list includes four repeat winners – Melissa Fifield, Trey Hutchens, Jason Hathaway and Alon Day.
There was also nearly an historic first: Hutchens, who competed in both the K&N Pro Series East and Whelen Southern Modified Tour this year, finished a close second to Theriault in the K&N Pro East voting while taking the top honors in the Whelen Southern Modified Tour for the second straight year.
Fifield won the award for the third straight season in the Whelen Modified Tour.
Iovino emerged in front in a close three-way battle in the K&N Pro West with Jesse Iwuji and series champion Todd Gilliland.
Hathaway, who announced he was retiring from full-time competition after racing in all 121 events in series history, ran away with the award in the Pinty’s Series.
Day, who was selected to the NASCAR Next program as one of the sport’s rising stars, won the award for the second consecutive season.
The award was open to any driver who competed in at last half of the races in their respective series.
Monday, Elliott Sadler (NASCAR XFINITY Series) and Tyler Reddick (NASCAR Camping World Truck Series) received the Most Popular Driver Award for their respective series in their awards gala at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel.
The NASCAR touring series Most Popular Drivers will be recognized on stage as part of the NASCAR Touring Series Night of Champions on Saturday, Dec. 10 at the Charlotte (North Carolina) Convention Center at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Source: NASCAR HOME TRACKS

Chase Elliot 2016 NASCAR Rookie of the Year

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Elliott ended the year with 10 top fives, 17 top 10s, two poles and a 10th-place finish in the final standings. (Photo: Getty Images)

Chase Elliott took home Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors in the Sprint Cup Series Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Elliott came into the season finale with a 65-point advantage in the rookie standings over Ryan Blaney. As his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson captured his seventh series championship, Elliott finished 11th in the race to secure the Rookie title.

"First off, how about Jimmie Johnson," Elliott said in the Media Center after the race. "That's incredible. He's the story. I don't need to be sitting up here right now, seven championships versus Rookie of the Year. You guys need to be watching him. But I'm proud of our season for sure."

Along with fellow rookie Chris Buescher, Elliott made the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup in his first season. He ended the year with 10 top fives, 17 top 10s, two poles and a 10th-place finish in the final standings

"I'm definitely proud to earn the Rookie of the Year honors," Elliott said. "It's been a long season, a lot of ups and downs, but we're happy to be here and definitely enjoyed racing against those guys for the Rookie of the Year this season. Felt like it was a fun group, and we're excited to get on to season two."

During the season, Elliott had a streak of six consecutive top 10s, which included his first of two runner-up finishes at Michigan International Speedway.

The scoring system to determine the Sunoco Rookie of the Year varies from NASCAR’S point system for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship. The following is a breakdown of the Sunoco Rookie of the Year scoring system:
• A 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 point system is used for scoring finishing positions by the rookies. The highest-finishing rookie in each race earns 10 points, the second-highest, nine points, etc.
• Of the 36 races, only the top 17 are counted in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rookie race.
• In order to be eligible for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year award, a driver must attempt to qualify in at least eight events out of the first 20 events.
• Attempting to qualify for a race earns the rookies one bonus point, which is a bonus that is available for all 36 events.
• Bonus points are awarded for a finish in the top 10. A rookie who wins a race is awarded 10 points, second place gets nine and so on down the line with a 10th-place effort earning one point.
• Following the final race of the season, the highest-ranking rookie in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship receives 10 bonus points. The second-highest rookie earns nine points, third receives eight, etc.
• During the final weekend of the season, a Sunoco Rookie of the Year panel meets and rewards favorable conduct in the following categories: Conduct with NASCAR officials in the garage and pit areas; conduct and awareness on track; personal appearance and relationship with the media. The panel rates each driver, with scoring ranging from a maximum of 10 to a minimum of 1. Total points will be averaged from each panel member’s ballot. The points derived from the panel will be added to the entry, competition, and bonus points after the final race of the season to determine the overall Sunoco Rookie of the Year winner.
The Sunoco Rookie of the Race will be awarded $1,500 each week. The Sunoco Rookie of the Year will be awarded a $50,000 year-end bonus.

Presented by Sunoco

Since 2004, Sunoco has been the “Official Fuel of NASCAR”. This distinction has allowed them to demonstrate the performance of their gasoline in the most competitive racing series in the United States.

NASCAR's top series depend on Sunoco to fuel every driver, in every race on their quest for the Sunoco checkered flag.

Driver	Car #	Points
Chase Elliott	24	297
Ryan Blaney	21	232
Chris Buescher	34	199
Brian Scott	44	187
Jeffrey Earnhardt	32	137

Driver

Car #

Points

Chase Elliott

24

297

Ryan Blaney

21

232

Chris Buescher

34

199

Brian Scott

44

187

Jeffrey Earnhardt

32

137

Jimmie Johnson wins at Homestead and the CHAMPIONSHIP:

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 and the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, FL.
Johnson wins a record-tying 7th NASCAR title
(Sean Gardner/NASCAR via Getty Images)
#48-Jimmie Johnson won the FORD EcoBoost 400 Sprint Cup Series Championship race at Homestead-Miami Speedway for his 5th win of the season, 1st ever win at Homestead and 80th career win in NASCAR Overtime as the race was extended one lap for a late accident. #42-Kyle Larson, who led the most laps with 132, led the race when the final caution came out, setting up NASCAR Overtime. On the restart, #48-Johnson rocketed to the front, took the lead and kept the lead winning the race and the Championship / Chase. Johnson led 3 of the 368 laps.
Johnson won his record tying 7th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship, tying NASCAR Hall of Famers Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt with 7.
#48-Jimmie Johnson had to start at the rear of the field before the drop of the green flag for unapproved body modifications after going through pre-race tech inspection.
#42-Lason (who led the most laps at 132) finished 2nd followed by #4-Harvick (pole winner), #22-Logano, #1-McMurray, #18-Busch, #20-Kenseth, #47-Allmendinger, #11-Hamlin and #59-McDowell.
#14-Tony Stewart, running his final Cup race, finished 22nd
#44-Brian Scott, retiring after this race, finished 15th
Chase Drivers:
#48-Johnson, WON
#22-Logano 4th
#18-Busch 6th
#19-Edwards 34th/accident
On a restart with 10 laps to go in the race, #22-Joey Logano shot deep to the inside in an attempt to pass #19-Carl Edwards for the lead among the championship contenders. Edwards reacted quickly and decisively, turning his car to the left in an attempt to block Logano. Logano didn't lift, and chaos ensued. Logano shoved Edwards into the inside wall. Edwards' Toyota bounced across the track, was hit hard by Kasey Kahne and slammed into the outside wall. The wreck involved nine cars [2,5,7,19,22,24,31,78,95] and caused a red flag of 31 minutes and nine seconds as track workers cleared the mess. Edwards refused to take an ambulance ride to the infield care center, instead choosing to make the long, sad walk. Along the way, he stopped at Logano's pit and talked to Logano crew chief Todd Gordon and other members of the team. Edwards' smashed car didn't finish the race. He wound up fourth of the four Championship 4 competitors.
There were 20 lead changes among 6 drivers and 7 cautions for 33 yellow flag laps and a 31:09 red flag.
The average speed of the race was: 128.869mph.
Jimmie Johnson Makes History, Wins Record-Tying Seventh NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship: History has been made. Jimmie Johnson captured his record-tying seventh NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship with a stirring victory Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway, tying NASCAR Hall of Famers Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt atop the all-time list. Sunday's win was Johnson's 80th career victory. To win the 2016 championship, the driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevy outdueled the other Championship 4 drivers #22-Joey Logano (fourth), #18-Kyle Busch (sixth) and #19-Carl Edwards (34th) at Homestead. It was a year of sevens for Johnson, who took over sole possession of seventh place on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series all-time wins list after his win at Auto Club Speedway earlier this season. His wins at Atlanta and Auto Club catapulted him into the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.
Johnson breezed through the first round of the Chase, logging his two highest laps led totals of the season to that point at Chicagoland and Dover. When the Round of 12 rolled around, he added his all-time track-record eighth win at Charlotte, leading a race-high 155 laps on the way to a Round of 8 berth. Johnson was the first to lock up a spot in the Championship 4, winning at Martinsville Speedway for the ninth time. At the age of 41, Johnson becomes the youngest seven-time champion. Petty was 42 when he captured his seventh title in 1979; Earnhardt was 43 in 1994. All seven of Johnson's championships were won under team owner Rick Hendrick and with crew chief Chad Knaus.
Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports, captured his record-extending 12th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship. Along with Johnson's seven titles, Hendrick has won championships with Jeff Gordon (four) and Terry Labonte (one).
Knaus cemented his legacy as one of the top crew chiefs in NASCAR history with his seventh title, one shy of the all-time record held by NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Inman.
Also on Sunday, #24-Chase Elliott was named Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award.(NASCAR)(11-20-2016)

Race Fast Facts - Homestead-Miami Speedway:
#48-Jimmie Johnson won the 18th Annual Ford EcoBoost 400, his 80th victory in 543 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
This is his fifth victory and 16th top-10 finish in 2016.
This is his first victory and 11th top-10 finish in 16 races at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
#42-Kyle Larson (second) posted his second top-10 finish in four races at Homestead-Miami Speedway. It is his 15th top-10 finish in 2016.
#4-Kevin Harvick (third) posted his 14th top-10 finish in 16 races at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
#24-Chase Elliott (11th) was the highest finishing rookie. Elliott has won the 2016 Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors.
#48-Jimmie Johnson wins his seventh NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.
Toyota wins the Manufacturers Championship, sweeping all three NASCAR national series this season.
Source: (NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(11-20-2016)

Will Gibbs Racing Complete the Sweep for Toyota at Homestead ?

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Camping World Truck Series, Johnny Sauter   Toyota


Xfinity Series  Daniel Saurez                           Toyota



Sprint Cup ?   Carl Edwards   Toyota

Sprint Cup   ?   Kyle Busch     Toyota

Sprint Cup ?  Jimie Johnson    Chevrolet

Sprint Cup  ?  Joey Logano      Ford


50%  chance !

Daniel Suarez wins Homestead race and XFINITY Series Championship:

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

#19-Daniel Suarez won the Ford EcoBoost 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. It is his 3rd XFINITY Series win and 3rd of the year. #3-Ty Dillon finished second, followed by #1-Elliott Sadler, #22-Ryan Blaney, #2-Austin Dillon, #7-Justin Allgaier, #42-Kyle Larson, #62-Brendan Gaughan, #20-Erik Jones, and #98-Aric Almirola.
Suarez started from the pole and led 133 of the 200 laps. Suarez started 3rd on the final restart of the race with 3 laps to go, but was able to quickly take the lead, passing #14-Cole Whitt, who had stayed on track, and #1-Elliott Sadler, who had taken just two tires under the final pit stop.
There were 7 cautions for 39 laps and 21 lead changes among 11 leaders.
The average speed was 116.455mph.
NASCAR XFINITY Series Championship Fast Facts:Driver Champion: Daniel Suarez
Team: #19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Camry
• Daniel Suarez won his first NASCAR XFINITY Series championship; becoming the 27th different driver to win the title.
• Daniel Suarez is the first Latin American driver to win a NASCAR national series championship.
• Suarez won the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway to claim the 2016 series title in the inaugural NASCAR XFINITY Series Chase.
• Suarez made 33 starts this season posting three wins, 19 top fives and 27 top 10s and three poles.
• Suarez has become the first graduate of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program to win a NASCAR XFINITY Series championship.
Owner Of Driver Champion: Joe Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing
• This is Joe Gibbs Racing's second NASCAR XFINITY Series driver championship.
• Joe Gibbs Racing's first driver title came in 2009 with driver Kyle Busch.
• Joe Gibbs Racing had two teams make the inaugural NASCAR XFINITY Series Chase; the No. 20 Toyota Camry team with driver Erik Jones who also made the Championship 4 finished third in the standings, and the No. 19 Toyota Camry team with driver Daniel Suarez, who won the driver championship.
Crew Chief Champion: Scott Graves
• This is Scott Graves second consecutive career NASCAR XFINITY Series championship; his first was with Roush Fenway Racing and driver Chris Buescher (2015).
• Graves is the seventh NASCAR XFINITY Series crew chief to win consecutive titles joining Gere Kennon (1983, '84), Ricky Pearson (1986, '87), Steve Bird (1995-1997), Tony Eury Sr. (1998, '99), Kevin Manion (2004, '05) and Mike Kelley (2011, 2012).
Owner Champion: Joe Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing
• Joe Gibbs Racing has won the 2016 NASCAR XFINITY Series owners championship with the No. 19 Toyota Camry team and driver Daniel Suarez. • This is Joe Gibbs Racing's fifth NASCAR XFINITY Series owners championship (2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2016) - the series-most.
• The No. 19 Toyota team posted three wins this season.
Source: (NASCAR)(11-19-2016)

Homestead XFINITY Race Fast Facts:
Daniel Suarez (C) won the 22nd Annual Ford EcoBoost 300, his third victory in 68 NASCAR XFINITY Series races.
This is his third victory and 27th top-10 finish in 2016.
This is his first victory and second top-10 finish in two races at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Ty Dillon (second) posted his third top-10 finish in four races at Homestead-Miami Speedway. It is his 17th top-10 finish in 2016.
Elliott Sadler (C) (third) posted his fifth top-10 finish in 11 races at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Erik Jones (C) (ninth) was the highest finishing rookie. Jones wins the 2016 Sunoco Rookie of the Year.
Daniel Suarez wins the 2016 NASCAR XFINITY Series championship.
Source: (NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(11-19-2016)

Rowan Pennink, Tom Fearn, Tony Membrino, Jr., Duane Provost, Johnny Walker, And Noah Korner Honored As 2016 Stafford Motor Speedway Track Champions

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

(Stafford Springs, CT)---Stafford Motor Speedway welcomed a guest list of nearly 500 people consisting of teams, drivers, sponsors, and employees this past Friday night, November 18 at Maneely’s in South Windsor to officially honor Rowan Pennink, Tom Fearn, Tony Membrino, Jr., Duane Provost, Johnny Walker, and Noah Korner as the 2016 Stafford Motor Speedway NASCAR Whelen All-American Series track champions.

With Stafford Motor Speedway broadcasters Matt Buckler and John Gates serving as the Masters of Ceremony, the 47th annual Stafford Motor Speedway NASCAR Champions Awards Ceremony not only honored the six track champions, they also recognized the top-15 points finishers from the SK Modified®, Late Model, SK Light, Limited Late Model, DARE Stock, and U.S. Legend Cars divisions.  Special awards that were presented during the evening’s festivities were Most Popular Driver Awards, NAPA Auto Parts Parts Rookie of the Year, R.A.D. Automachine Rookie of the Year, and the UNOH Youth Achievement Award.

Rowan Pennink and the #99 Independent Wheel team entered the 2016 season as the defending SK Modified® champions and the question looming over them was could they repeat with Kevin Crowley taking over as the crew chief from Jimmy Fuller?  The #99 team put to doubt any questions about their prowess with wins in 3 of the first 4 SK Modified® events of the season and they exhibited a high level of consistency with top-10 runs in all but one of the first 16 races of the season.  They wrapped up the championship with one race to go and next season will see them attempt to become the first team to win 3 consecutive SK Modified® championships at Stafford.  Pennink is the fifth driver, joining Jerry Pearl ’84-’85, Mike Christopher ’89-’90, Bob Potter ’91-’92 and ’94-95, and Ted Christopher ’00-’01 to have won back to back championships but a three-peat has yet to be accomplished.  For the season, the #99 team posted a division leading 6 wins, 11 top-5 and 15 top-10 finishes for an average finish of 4.9.

After winning 10 races last season and coming up short of the championship, Tom Fearn and the #92 SAFCO Foam team entered the 2016 season as favorites to be among the championship contenders and they lived up to that pre-season billing with a performance that was a combination of dominance and consistency.  Fearn won 7 times and had 16 top-6 finishes in 17 starts this season but Michael Wray and the #42 DMW Graphics team took the championship fight with Fearn all the way to the season ending NAPA Fall Final.  A second place finish for Fearn wrapped up his fourth career Stafford track championship and his first since winning the 1998 ProStock championship.  Among Fearn’s 7 wins, 16 top-5 and 17 top-10 finishes this season were 13 podium finishes that helped lower his season average finish to 2.8.

The race for the SK Light championship was a seesaw affair between Tony Membrino, Jr. and Joey Ferrigno for much of the year.  Membrino and the #44 Additive Manufacturing of New England team had a blazing hot start to the year with 4 wins in the first 5 races.  But as dominant as Membrino was, Ferrigno was right on Membrino’s heels and they would swap the point lead several times during the summer.  Membrino took control of the points race at the very end of the season as Ferrigno ran in to a string of bad finishes and he collected his second career SK Light championship at Stafford to go along with his DARE Stock championship.  Membrino posted 7 wins, 11 top-5 and 13 top-10 finishes this season for an average finish of 5.3.

The race for the 2016 Limited Late Model championship saw long shot Duane Provost cash in to take home his very first career championship.  The driver of the #88 Facchini Law Firm Chevrolet was in the championship mix for much of the season along with Paul Arute and Al Saunders.  All three drivers had a share of the point lead at some point during the 2016 season.  Provost entered the NAPA Fall Final 12 points behind Saunders and a third place finish, combined with a 10^th place finish for Saunders, was enough to make Provost the champion by a scant 2 point margin.  For the season, Provost posted 1 win, 12 top-5 and 15 top-10 finishes for an average finish of 4.6.

Johnny Walker entered the 2016 season having taken a year off from racing after back to back 2^nd place finishes in the DARE Stock division.  Having nearly won the championship twice already, Walker knew what it was going to take to win the championship from the very first race and he was a model of consistency during the 2016 season, driving to 13 podium finishes in 17 starts this season with a final tally of 2 wins, 16 top-5 and 16 top-10 finishes for an average finish of 3.2.  As dominant as Walker was finishing in the top-3 almost every week, Brandon Michael was keeping pace with him for much of the year and took the title fight down to the last race but Walker wasn’t to be denied as he collected his first career championship.

In the U.S. Legend Cars division, it was a year of domination for Noah Korner and the #31 Midstate Site Development team.  In the 11 race Legend Cars schedule, Korner won 7 times, finished second three times, and finished third once.  Such a level of dominance was too much for Teddy Hodgdon to overcome as Korner locked down the track championship in a season that also saw him win the National Championship in the Semi-Pro division of the U.S. Legend Cars.

The NAPA Auto Parts Rookie of the Year awards were presented to Stephen Kopcik from the SK Modified® division and Joel Monahan from the Late Model division.  Taking home R.A.D. Automachine Rookie of the Year honors were Joe Graf, Jr. in the SK Light division, Frank L’Etoile, Jr. in the Limited Late Model division, and Michael Hopkins in the DARE Stock division.  The NAPA Auto Parts rookie awards will be worth a $1,000.00 gift card redeemable at participating NAPA Stores to Kopcik and Monahan, with Graf, L’Etoile, and Hopkins each winning a $500 bonus from R.A.D. Automachine that will be paid out in $100.00 weekly increments to each driver as they attend events during the 2017 season.

The winners of the Most Popular Driver Awards were Woody Pitkat in the SK Modified® division, Tom Fearn in the Late Model division, Daniel Wesson from the SK Light division, Bryan Narducci from the Limited Late Model division, Alexandra Fearn in the DARE Stock division, and Teddy Hodgdon in the U.S. Legend Cars division.  The Most Popular Driver Awards are voted on by the fans who attend Stafford Motor Speedway race events and fill out the ballots found in the track’s weekly PitStopper Magazine.

The UNOH Youth Achievement award was won by SK Light Modified driver Daniel Wesson.  The UNOH Youth Achievement Award is a program that is open to all drivers at Stafford between the ages of 14-17.  The eligible driver who scored the most track points from their best 14 finishes this season won a $500 cash award from UNOH as well as a $500 scholarship award from UNOH. Source: Scott Running Stafford Speedway Media Press Release

Byron wins Truck Series finale at Homestead;

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Sauter wins title: #9-William Byron won the Ford EcoBoost 200 at Homestead Miami Speedway on Friday, closing out the season with seven wins, Rookie of the Year honors, and an owner's championship for Kyle Busch Motorsports. But it was #21-Johnny Sauter, who finished third and won the inaugural Chase in the Camping World Truck Series.
Byron took the lead with 10 laps to go. Sauter passed #88-Matt Crafton with 16 to go for the third position, giving him the advantage in the championship.
#29-Tyler Reddick, finished between Byron and Sauter in second. His team opted for two tires during the final pitstop for track position. Also under that stop, the #24-Kyle Larson, lost multiple spots on pitroad. Larson was leading before the caution flag that allowed the stops. He finished fourth. #19-Daniel Hemric, #51-Daniel Suarez, #88-Matt Crafton, #8-Christopher Bell, #17-Timothy Peters, and #00-Cole Custer were the top-10.
There were 4 cautions for 18 laps and 15 lead changes among 5 leaders.
The average speed was 129.747mph.
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Championship Fast FactsDriver Champion: Johnny Sauter
Team: No. 21 GMS Racing Chevrolet Silverado
Johnny Sauter won his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship; becoming the first inaugural NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Chase champion.
Sauter is the 15th different driver to win the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship.
Sauter finished third in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway to claim the title.
Sauter finished the 2016 season with three wins, 12 top fives, 19 top 10s and one pole.

Owner Of Driver Champion: Maurice Gallagher Jr., GMS Racing:
This is GMS Racing's first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver championship (Johnny Sauter, 2016).
Maurice Gallagher Jr. is the 15th different owner to have a driver win a championship. In 2013, GMS Racing made its series debut with driver Spencer Gallagher in the No. 23 at Kansas Speedway.

Crew Chief Champion: Joe Shear Jr.
This is Joe Shear Jr.'s first career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship; his previous best standings finish was second at Curb Racing with driver Johnny Sauter in 2011.
Shear Jr. has 13 career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victories with three drivers - Kasey Kahne (one), Cole Custer (two) and Johnny Sauter (10).

Owner Champion: Kyle Busch, Kyle Busch Motorsports, No. 9 Toyota Tundra
Kyle Busch Motorsports has won the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series owner championship with the No. 9 Toyota Tundra team; led by crew chief Ryan Fugle and driver William Byron.
This is Kyle Busch Motorsport's fourth-consecutive and fifth all-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series owner championship.
Kyle Busch Motorsports' previous owner championships were in 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015 - KBM's No. 51 tied ThorSport Racing's No. 88 in owner points in 2013, but was awarded the championship due the tiebreaker (wins).
KBM is the first team in NASCAR Camping World Truck Series history to win four consecutive owner championships.
Kyle Busch Motorsports now has the most owner titles in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with five.
Source: (NASCAR Statistics)(11-18-2016)

Whelen Modified Tour: Sunoco Rookie of the Year

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

1999-2016

Year	Driver	Points	Rank	Starts	Poles	Wins	Top 5s	Top 10s
1999	Dave Pecko	1928	19	17	0	0	0	2
2000	Michael Boehler	1340	21	11	0	0	0	0
2001	Ricky Miller	1961	19	16	0	0	1	4
2002	Todd Szegedy	2497	7	19	0	1	5	10
2003	Donny Lia	2.04	10	18	1	1	3	4
2004	Ken Barry	2397	9	19	0	0	2	8
2005	Tyler Haydt	1865	15	15	0	0	1	3
2006	James Civali	2087	7	16	0	1	5	8
2007	Richard Savary	1757	13	16	1	0	0	2
2008	Glen Reen	1635	18	16	0	0	0	3
2009	Eric Goodale	1546	11	13	0	0	0	3
2010	Justin Bosnignore	1587	13	14	1	0	2	4
2011	Patrick Emerling	1859	13	16	0	0	1	6
2012 *	Keith Rocco	246	24	8	0	0	1	5
2013	Cole Powell	368	16	14	0	0	0	1
2014	Timmy Solomito	433	8	13	0	0	2	6
2015	Chase Dowling	481	9	15	0	0	1	8

* Changed to 43-to-1 points system
2016         Matt Swanson        543   9       17          0            0          2      7

Stafford Speedway Releases 2017 Event Schedule

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Can Rowan Pennink make it a three-peat ?

(Stafford Springs, CT)---With just over 5 months until the 2017 season kicks off at the 46th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler, Stafford Speedway is proud to announce the 22 event 2017 schedule.

            “We are excited about the 2017 season, we have our marquee events and have added 4 new shows to the schedule,” explained Stafford COO/GM Mark Arute.  “Stafford’s key focus remains to have a strong weekly program for the fans and race teams, we believe that is the backbone of short track racing.”

            The 2017 race season will begin at the 46th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler Weekend, April 29th & 30th.  Doug Coby, the 2016 Whelen Modified Tour Champion, will look to defend his crown in the Whelen Modified Tour NAPA Spring Sizzler 200.  The two-day event is highlighted by the NAPA Auto Parts Pit Party where fans have the opportunity to meet their favorite drivers prior to racing on Sunday.

Following the NAPA Spring Sizzler, Stafford racing gets back to its weekly regiment beginning with the return of BFF night on May 5th and the Late Model 50 on May 12th.  The Valenti Modified Racing Series hits the half-mile May 19th for their annual early season Connecticut stop and the series will make one additional Stafford stop on September 1st for another 80 lap feature.

Doug Dunleavy and Dunleavy’s Truck and Trailer Repair has joined the schedule with a new Memorial Day Weekend event.  Dunleavy’s Truck and Trailer Repair Modified Big Money Event plus Military Appreciation Night is scheduled for May 26th.  Both the SK Modified® and SK Light Modifieds will have special events with details to be announced within the coming weeks.  The night will be capped off with a fireworks display to honor all those who have served our country.

            “No one has ever paid an SK Light purse this big. Doug’s excited, we’re excited, that night is going to be fun,” explained Arute.

            The month of June will play host to two new events at Stafford.  June 2nd will be the first of two Stafford stops for the exciting new Modified Touring Series with the second MTS event being held Friday July 21st. 

“Our team has been working with Gary Knight of the Modified Touring Series for a few months now and we really like the series he is pulling together,” said Arute.  “We were impressed by his execution of the Winchester 200 last year at Monadnock and are looking forward to the Modified Touring Series Stafford debut on Friday June 2nd.”

June will also play host to the ISMA Supermodified’s return to the half-mile.  The fastest short track cars in the country will go 60 laps and be accompanied by Stafford’s five weekly divisions.

Friday, July 7th will see the biggest SK Modified® event in the country, the NAPA Auto Parts SK 5K, take place.  Since the inaugural event in 2014 the NAPA SK 5K has seen 3 different winners and has paid over $120k in purse money.  2017 will be no exception, this is the event all SK Modified® drivers want to win.

“The NAPA SK 5K is a fan favorite and one of my favorite events,” continued Arute.  “We thank NAPA for their support of this event as it has become a highlight of our schedule for the last few years.”

The Whelen Modified Tour makes its second of three stops at Stafford on Friday August 4th for the 27th Annual Stafford 150.  The final NWMT stop comes with NAPA Auto Parts Fall Final Weekend on Sept. 30th-Oct. 1st where all 5 of Stafford’s 2017 track champions will be crowned.

Stay tuned to StaffordSpeedway.com and social media in the coming weeks for more information on the 2017 schedule.

            2017 Season Ticket Packages are now available and on sale now through www.staffordspeedway.com.  Visit the site and click on the BUY TICKETS link to purchase your 2017 season ticket today.

2017 Schedule Highlights

·         3 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Events (4/30, 8/4, 10/1)

·         2 Valenti Modified Racing Series Events (5/19, 9/1)

·         2 Modified Touring Series Events (6/2, 7/21)

·         1 ISMA Super Modified Event (6/23)

·         NAPA Auto Parts SK 5K (7/7)

·         Dunleavy Truck & Trailer Modified Night (5/26)

·         Late Model 50 (5/12)

·         Mr. Rooter Truck Series (4/29, 9/30)

Hall of Fame NASCAR Career ends for Smoke

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Stewart to run "Always a Racer" scheme for final Cup race: After three NASCAR Sprint Cup titles, 49 victories and 618 starts, Tony Stewart will climb in his #14 Always a Racer/Mobil 1 Chevy for the final time in his 18-year career Sunday afternoon at Homestead-Miami Speedway and conclude what is destined to be a first-ballot Hall of Fame career. But save the tears, race fans. He isn't done driving and he isn't going away. "You're going to see me driving a lot next year, but most of it will be on dirt," Stewart said. "I kind of look at this as halftime of my career and I'll still be around the NASCAR garage. I'll just have more time. If I see Richard Petty or anyone else in the garage, I can go over and talk to him now and not have to worry about getting to the car or trying to figure out how to make my car go faster. I can focus now on what I want to do and my job at SHR (Stewart-Haas Racing.)"
  For his last race, Stewart will drive a special paint scheme carrying each SHR employees' signature with the words "Always a Racer, Forever a Champion," as well as pictorial highlights of his 18-year career on the hood. Except for the special paint scheme and hosting about 75 SHR guests to watch his final race, Stewart's finale will be low-key as the rest of the racing world watches the culmination of NASCAR's 2016 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, during which the sport will crown its champion.
  "We didn't want all the ceremony and distraction this year," Stewart said. "We just wanted to focus on the racecar and run well and let the NASCAR fans see us race a final time." Stewart has avoided much of the pomp and circumstance, opting instead to race well and accept a few accolades along the way from tracks and SHR's corporate partners. The strategy has worked as Stewart has returned to the front of the field, logging five top-five and eight top-10 finishes in 2016. The highlight came in June, when Stewart made a last-lap pass of Denny Hamlin at Sonoma Raceway to claim his 49th career victory that ultimately led to a berth in the 2016 Chase, where Stewart fell a few points short of advancing to the Round of 12.
  He'd like nothing more than to close his 2016 season, as well as his career, with a strong run Sunday on the high-banked turns at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He won the first two Sprint Cup races at the South Florida track in 1999 and 2000, then visited victory lane again in 2011, when he won a thrilling duel with Carl Edwards. The victory left Edwards and Stewart tied in points, with Stewart winning his third Sprint Cup title based on a tiebreaker. In 16 career starts at the 1.5-mile oval, he also owns four top-five and seven top-10 finishes and has led 450 laps. He's completed 4,186 of a possible 4,277 laps at the track.
The full list of Stewart's assault on the NASCAR record book is a long one but, when he climbs from the #14 Sunday, he'll do so as the 13th-winningest driver with his 49 wins. His three Sprint Cup titles ties him for fifth all-time, and he's also won IndyCar and IROC championships. His race wins include: 11 in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, six in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, three in IndyCar and four in IROC. Plus, he's won countless short-track races and titles since he first climbed in a go-kart in Indiana all those years ago (TSC/SHR).

Joey Logano wins at Phoenix:

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

#22-Joey Logano won the Can-Am 500(k) Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway running 12 extra laps in two NASCAR Overtimes for his 3rd win of the season, 1st win at Phoenix and 17th career win. Logano led 58 of the 324 laps.
#18-Busch finished 2nd followed by #42-Larson, #4-Harvick, #41-Busch, #88-Bowman (pole winner), #11-Hamlin, #21-Blaney, #24-Elliott and #27-Menard.
With two laps to go and #20-Kenseth having a 3 second lead over #88-Bowman, #95-McDowell spun out and hit the wall bring out the caution with a lap to go in the race. NASCAR Overtime was implemented and after the cleanup the race restarted on lap 314 with Kenseth on the outside lane and #88-Bowman on the inside. On the restart 3rd place #18-Busch tried to get around #88-Bowman and bumped the #88 Chevy, causing it to wiggle and go low. The leader, #20-Kenseth was just ahead of Bowman and appeared to come down on the #88, who had no place to go with the inside wall to his left, making contact causing Kenseth's car to spin out and hitting the wall. #22-Logano took the lead and the field was again placed under caution. After the track was cleaned #22-Logano led the field to the green with #18-Busch in 2nd. Logano took the lead and held on to it with Busch finishing 2nd. Kenseth, who looked like he was going to win and advance to the Championship 4, finished 21st and was eliminated from The Chase. Logano's win allowed him to advance to the Championship 4 and Kyle Busch made it on points in the 4th and final spot.
#88-Bowman, the pole winner, led the most laps with 194 and was up front for most of the race until tangling with Kenseth on the first NASCAR Overtime restart, finishing 6th.
#48-Johnson had run in the top 10 early in the race before having to serving a penalty (losing a lap) for "Pulling up to pit", hence passing the caution car as entering pit road. On lap 219, #3-Dillon had a slow restart with #16-Biffle getting into the back of the #3 and causing Dillon's car to spin. When Biffle checked up, #48-Johnson hit the #16 car hard, doing serious damage to the car. Johnson was able to get the car repaired and run another 77 laps but finished 38th. Since Johnson had already won a race in the Round of 8, he advanced in the Chase to the Championship 4 at Homestead.
Four drivers advance to the CHAMPIONSHIP Race of the Chase at Homestead: #48-Johnson, #19-Edwards, #22-Logano, #18-Busch.
Eliminated from the Chase: #11-Hamlin, #20-Kenseth, #4-Harvick, #41-Busch.
There were 8 lead changes among 5 drivers and 9 cautions for 53 yellow flag laps.
The average speed of the race was: 102.866mph.

Kyle Busch Wins Again !

Posted b Wayne G. Barber

Kyle Busch wins XFINITY race at Phoenix: #18-Kyle Busch won the Ticket Galaxy 200 at Phoenix International Raceway. It is his 86th XFINITY Series career win and 10th of the year. #2-Austin Dillon finished second, followed by #60-Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., #7-Justin Allgaier, #19-Daniel Suarez, #16-Ryan Reed, #3-Ty Dillon, #11-Blake Koch, #22-Brad Keselowski, and #20-Erik Jones. Busch started on the pole and dominated the race, leading 190 of the 200 laps.

Chase drivers that clinched a spot in the Championship race at Homestead: #19-Daniel Suarez, #1-Elliot Sadler, #7-Justin Allgaier, and #20-Erik Jones.

Drivers that were eliminated from the Chase: #11-Blake Koch, #16-Ryan Reed, #6-Darrell Wallace, Jr., and #62-Brendan Gaughan.
Wallace and Gaughan were each involved in accidents and finished 32nd and 35th, respectively.
There were 6 cautions for 39 laps and 6 lead changes among 4 leaders.
The average speed was 97.310mph.
Phoenix XFINITY Race Fast Facts: Kyle Busch(i) won the 18th Annual Ticket Galaxy 200, his 86th victory in 328 NASCAR XFINITY Series races.
This is his 10th victory and 14th top-10 finish in 2016.
This is his 10th victory and 17th top-10 finish in 21 races at Phoenix International Raceway.
Austin Dillon(i) (second) posted his seventh top-10 finish in nine races at Phoenix International Raceway. It is his 15th top-10 finish in 2016.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr(i) (third) posted his seventh top-10 finish in seven races at Phoenix International Raceway.
Erik Jones (C) (10th) was the highest finishing rookie.
Daniel Suarez (C) leads the point standings by 9 points over Elliott Sadler (C).

Local driver Ryan Preece #01 started 26th and finished 22nd one lap down and has qualified for all 33 races in 2016.

 Next up is the final at Homestead Fla.
Source: (NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(11-12-2016)

Suarez wins Truck Series Race at Phoenix:

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

#51-Daniel Suarez claimed his first career Truck Series win in the Lucas Oil 150 at Phoenix International Raceway on Friday night. Suarez was running second when his Kyle Busch Motorsports teammate, #9-William Byron, lost an engine just 11 laps from the finish. Suarez inherited the lead and Byron finished 27th. The results dropped him out of the final four in the Chase to the Championship for the final race of the season at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Byron won six races this season, earned the pole in Phoenix, and led a race high 112 of the 150 laps.
#21-Johnny Sauter, #88-Matt Crafton, #13-Cameron Hayley, #17-Timothy Peters, #8-John Hunter Nemechek, #4-Christopher Bell, #11-Matt Tifft, #33-Ben Kennedy, and #00-Cole Custer were the remainder of the top-10.
#21-Sauter, #88-Crafton, #4-Bell, and #17-Peters are the final four contending for the Championship in Homestead.
Suarez's win secured the manufacturer's championship for Toyota.
There were 9 cautions for 49 laps and 5 lead changes among 3 leaders.
The average speed was 84.441mph.

Phoenix Race Fast Facts: Daniel Suarez(i) won the 22nd Annual Lucas Oil 150, his first victory in 26 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.
This is his first victory and fifth top-10 finish in 2016.
This is his first victory and second top-10 finish in two races at Phoenix International Raceway.
Johnny Sauter (C) (second) posted his sixth top-10 finish in eight races at Phoenix International Raceway. It is his 18th top-10 finish in 2016.
Matt Crafton (C) (third) posted his 11th top-10 finish in 16 races at Phoenix International Raceway.
Christopher Bell (C) (seventh) was the highest finishing rookie.
Johnny Sauter (C) leads the point standings by 25 points over Matt Crafton (C).
Source: (NASCAR Statistics) (11-11-2016)

1) #21-Johnny Sauter [3 wins], 4000
2) #88-Matt Crafton [2 wins], 4000
3) #4-Christopher Bell# [1 win], 4000
4) #17-Timothy Peters, 4000
Bottom 2 drivers were eliminated from the Chase after Phoenix:
5) #9-William Byron# [6 wins], 2163
6) #33-Ben Kennedy [1 win], 2143

Two big events on Saturday Nov 12, 2016

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Benefit for Todd Ceravolo

When: Sat Nov. 12   3-pm till 8 pm

Where: Groton Elk's Club
700 Shennecossett Road, Groton, Conn. 06340

Cassie Rocco
My father has built a life by going out to work every day and my mom managed the company from home. Now he isn't working and she has become his caregiver. Bringing him too and from doctors, hospitals, managing medications, and making life decisions that they didn't think they would have to make. They are in the process of selling their business and their home. To say that this has been devastating not only to them but to the whole family is an understatement.

My sister, Christen, and I feel completely helpless as all we can do is sit back and watch this all take place. Personally I wish and pray every night that this is all a bad dream and life will be "normal" when I wake up, but its not. So I decided I needed to do something. I spoke with imediate family and close family friends and decided to have a benefit dinner to raise money for their medical expenses, mainly their health insurance for 2017. I understand that I can't make everything all better, but I can make it easier for them and they shouldn't have to stress over health insurance. The event will be on Saturday, November 12th at 3pm-8pm and the Groton Elks Club and we are asking for a $20 donation to purchase a ticket. We thank you in advance for your consideration in contributing to this event as every little bit will help, including your thoughts and prayers.

Seekonk Speedway 2016 Awards Banquet

When: Sat Nov. 12 at 6 pm

Where: Venus De Milo Restaurant, Swansea, Mass.

Woody Pitkat gets a Full Time Ride In NASCAR Whelen Tour for 2017

Photo credit, Simply the Best, Crystal Snape

Woody will officially be driving for Goodie Motorsports in 2017 on the Whelen Modified Tour! Below is the official statement from Jeff Goodale.
Via Jeff Goodale:
I'll keep this as short and simple as possible. Many have heard that I might take break from racing during the 2017 season. It's safe to say that those rumors are true. My priorities for next year are devoted to my family business. A business that has given me so much and has given me a life I am forever thankful fo...r. I am so happy to finally give back and make a name for myself within the company. I owe it to my family to be the best asset I can possibly be. Aside from work I wanted to devote more time to my personal life. There is so much to enjoy and so many things in life aside from the racing scene that I would like to experience. I know Ill miss being behind the wheel, but I feel it is in my best interest, that missing it a little is the healthiest thing I can do for myself right now.

As for the future of Goodie Motorsports, I am very proud and excited to take a step back and become team owner. I am also pleased to announce our new driver. Pitkat A Woody. Woody was one of the first of the veteran drivers to come up to me during my first year on the tour. That is something that has always stuck with me. He is a true talent and a class act and will represent Goodie Motorsports and Riverhead Building Supply very well. We have a stacked team for the 2017 season. Our team is alive and well. Make no mistake, we are coming for the title!
I wanna thank everyone that has supported me in seasons past and in this decision. It has not been an easy one. I ask that you join me in wishing woody the best of luck in the number 46, Riverhead Building Supply modified. Excited for this new chapter. Source: Facebook Share

Granite State Pro Stocks Set For Inaugural Seekonk Speedway 100 in 2017

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Even though the 2016 Granite State Pro Stock Series season finished just a few weeks ago at New London-Waterford Speedbowl, the GSPSS is already looking ahead to the 2017 campaign.

And with that, the series is proud to announce the first scheduled race for next season at Seekonk Speedway in Seekonk, Mass. The inaugural Seekonk 100 will take place on Saturday night June 24, 2017.

“We are extremely happy to be able to work with Seekonk Speedway to bring the GSPSS there for the 2017 season,” GSPSS president Mike Parks said. “Seekonk is the home of weekly Super Late Model racing in Southern New England. By adding the GSPSS to the schedule, it has the making of a super event. We have been talking to them for two years and we feel the timing is correct for 2017.”

The stop at Seekonk will see a mix of the top talent of the GSPSS along with the weekly drivers of the Seekonk NASCAR Division I Pro Stock class. Although the race will not be a Seekonk points championship race, multiple drivers will be expected to come out and challenge those regulars of the GSPSS.

“I think the GSPSS is a good series with plenty of competition. I think this will give fans a good race with some Seekonk regulars and maybe some other stars of the PASS and GSPSS,” four-time Seekonk Pro Stock champion David Darling said.

“We ran the New London-Waterford race this season and all the officials and the whole series are very nice and very accommodating. With the GSPSS running the same tire we do and being more of a budget conscious tour, it allows us Seekonk regulars to be competitive without having a huge learning curve of a different tire,” Darling said.

Seekonk will be entering their 72^nd season of racing in 2017 and they are also excited to welcome the GSPSS into town in June. The GSPSS joins the Modified Touring Series as outside divisions invading the track in that month.

“Seekonk Speedway is excited to bring in a tour that enjoys building supporting relationships with the tracks that they run at,” Ed St. Germain of Seekonk Speedway said. “The GSPSS drivers have been great every time they have raced at any of the Seekonk races and we look forward to seeing our drivers competing with them on their home track.”

Much like Darling does, Seekonk believes their weekly competitors will be able to give the GSPSS stars a run for their money.

“We have many drivers who match up well with any Pro Stock tour. The management of the GSPSS made it an easy call to book a date with them this year and hopefully with its success we can be an annual stop on the GSPSS tour,” St. Germain said.

This date is just the first of many that will be announced for the 2017 season during the winter months. It should be noted that the 2016 GSPSS season banquet will take place on Saturday Feb. 4 at the Best Western Executive Court Banquet Facility in Manchester, N.H.

For more information on the GSPSS, visit us on Facebook, on the web at gspss.net, or email series president Mark Parks at mparks@gspss.net.

Edwards wins at Texas:

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

#19-Carl Edwards won the AAA Texas 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway for his 3rd win of the season, 4th win at Texas and 28th career win. Edwards took the lead under pit stops on lap 258 and lead the final 36 laps. The race was called at 11:13pm/et with 293 laps complete after of rain hit the track and NASCAR determined it would at least 2 hours to dry the track.
#22-Logano finished 2nd, followed by #78-Truex, Jr., #24-Elliott, #18-Busch, #4-Harvick, #20-Kenseth, #5-Kahne, #11-Hamlin, and #31-Newman.
Pole sitter #3-Dillon ran near the front for much of the race but spun late, then made contact with the outside wall a short time later. He had to go to the garage and finished 37th.
The start of the race was delayed by nearly 6 hours. It rained just before engines were scheduled to be fired at 2:04pm/et. Cooler temperatures and moisture required an extended amount of time to dry the track. Engines were fired at 7:13pm/et and the race finally started under green/yellow conditions at 7:56pm/et. Six laps were run until the green flag was shown.
The only Chase drivers that did not finish on the lead lap was #41-Busch. he finished 20th.
There were 12 lead changes among 8 drivers and 8 cautions for 37 yellow flag laps.
Average race speed: 134.541mph
Race Fast Facts - Texas Motor Speedway: Carl Edwards won the 12th Annual AAA Texas 500, his 28th victory in 443 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
With the victory, Edwards clinches a spot in the Championship 4 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, joining Jimmie Johnson.
This is his third victory and 18th top-10 finish in 2016.
This is his fourth victory and 13th top-10 finish in 24 races at Texas Motor Speedway.
With the victory, Edwards moves into a tie with Kurt Busch and NASCAR Hall of Famer Rex White for 26th on the all-time series wins list.
Joey Logano (second) posted his seventh top-10 finish in 17 races at Texas Motor Speedway. It is his 24th top-10 finish in 2016.
Martin Truex Jr. (third) posted his 12th top-10 finish in 23 races at Texas Motor Speedway.
Chase Elliott (fourth) was the highest finishing rookie.
Source: (NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(11-7-2016)
Sprint Cup Driver Chase Standings - Round of 8: [after Texas, race 34 of 36, Chase race 8 of 10]
1) #48-Jimmie Johnson*,[4 wins], 4074 (won Martinsville)
2) #19-Carl Edwards,[3 wins], 4049 (won Texas)
3) #22-Joey Logano,[2 wins], 4074, +1 ahead of 5th
4) #18-Kyle Busch,[4 wins], 4074, +1
5) #20-Matt Kenseth,[2 wins], 4073, -1 behind 4th
6) #11-Denny Hamlin,[3 wins], 4072, -2
7) #4-Kevin Harvick,[4 wins] 4056, -18
8) #41-Kurt Busch,[1 win], 4040, -34
* will advance to the Championship Round by winning a Round of 8 race

Next Race: Phoenix  11-13-16

Kyle Larson wins XFINITY race at Texas

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

#42-Kyle Larson won the O'Reilly Auto Parts Challenge at Texas Motor Speedway. It is his 5th XFINITY Series win and 2nd of the year. Pole sitter #2-Brad Keselowski finished second, followed by #88-Kevin Harvick, #20-Erik Jones, #19-Daniel Suarez, #1-Elliott Sadler, #2-Austin Dillon, #48-Brennan Poole, #18-Matt Tifft, and #7-Justin Allgaier.
There were 5 cautions for 22 laps and 5 lead changes among 4 leaders.
The average speed was 140.992mph.

Texas XFINITY Race Fast Facts: Kyle Larson won the 12th Annual O'Reilly Auto Parts Challenge, his fifth victory in 90 NASCAR XFINITY Series races.
This is his second victory and 13th top-10 finish in 2016.
This is his first victory and third top-10 finish in seven races at Texas Motor Speedway.
Brad Keselowski (second) posted his 14th top-10 finish in 18 races at Texas Motor Speedway. It is his 11th top-10 finish in 2016.
Kevin Harvick (third) posted his 16th top-10 finish in 19 races at Texas Motor Speedway.
Erik Jones (fourth) was the highest finishing Chase driver and rookie.
(NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(11-5-2016)

XFINITY Driver standings following Texas:
1) #19-Daniel Suarez [2 wins], 3075, +17 ahead of 4th
2) #1-Elliott Sadler [3 wins], 3074, +16
3) #20-Erik Jones [4 wins], 3065, +7
4) #11-Blake Koch, 3059, +1
Bottom 4 drivers will be eliminated next week after Phoenix:
5) #7-Justin Allgaier, 3058, -1 behind 4th
6) #16-Ryan Reed, 3054, -5
7) #6-Darrell Wallace, Jr., 3039, -20
8) #62-Brendan Gaughan, 3036, -23

Connecticut Modified shoe news: Finished 22  Started 25  Ryan Preece # 01 Turnkey Construction/Turnkey Charities Chevrolet Finished 197 of the 200 lap event and was running for 17 points.